Chapter 1353: Best Fortune

It wasn't just the Little Demon Empress who noticed the eye contact between the two; Yun Jianyue's voice also rang out: "Brat, didn't you say you had nothing going on with that elven princess?"

Yan Xuehen and Yu Yanluo, who were standing nearby, also looked over.

"We really are innocent," Zu An said, feeling a little guilty. He secretly added to himself that since he and Xue'er were mutually in love, anything they did was naturally pure and proper.

"Believe you? Never." Yun Jianyue sneered repeatedly. Yan Xuehen remained expressionless, while Yu Yanluo looked amused.

Seeing the continuous trickles of rage points accumulating in the background, Zu An felt a headache coming on. Too many female confidantes could easily lead to trouble.

Just then, Peacock Ming King spoke to Qiao Xueying. Worried about exposing Zu An's identity, she withdrew her gaze.

Zu An took the opportunity to change the subject, asking, "Is that middle-aged man in front of Shi Min and the others the Lion King?"

Shi Min and the other princes stood respectfully behind a middle-aged man. The man had golden hair and an extremely thick, dense beard. His physique was an entire size larger than Shi Min's, and even from a distance, an inexplicable aura of power emanated from him.

Yu Yanluo replied, "That's right. He is Shi Zhentian, the Lion Clan Chief, and his cultivation is unfathomable."

"Shi Zhentian?" Zu An's expression was strange. He thought, "Why not just call him Optimus Prime?"

Yun Jianyue, however, sneered, "At most, he's a Grandmaster. There's nothing unfathomable about that."

Yu Yanluo was speechless.

Since she herself was a Grandmaster, it was indeed hard to argue with her words.

Zu An then noticed another tall man not far from Shi Zhentian. He had an extremely broad back and incredibly developed muscles. Wearing a short-sleeved shirt, his two heavily tattooed arms were exposed, covered in various fierce patterns. He looked like a gang leader at first glance.

Seeing Hu Yong and others, who were previously untamed, now standing obediently behind him like kittens, Zu An mused, "This must be Hu Qianxiao."

Thinking of the rumors between him and Tu Shan Yu, Zu An wondered if Hu Qianxiao knew he had been intimate with Tu Shan Yu first, would he be so enraged as to ally with the Lion Clan?

Speaking of which, Tu Shan Yu didn't seem to have arrived at the Royal Court even today. He wondered if something had happened to her or if she was delayed by something.

Amidst his worries, he noticed Princess Sauron meekly following a middle-aged person. It seemed to be her elder from the Demon Race.

Their positions, including Shang Liuyu's, were even above Shi Zhentian and Hu Qianxiao. This showed how powerful the Sea Clan and Demon Clan were among the demon races. Unless Shi Zhentian and Hu Qianxiao one day competed to determine the Beast King, only then could they be considered equals with the two clans.

At this point, Hei Chi Fei began to preside over the ceremony. The various novel and bizarre procedures left Zu An wide-eyed and speechless, making him realize the significant differences between the demon races and humans.

Then came the Demon Emperor's speech, essentially thanking representatives from all clans for traveling great distances to attend the assembly. Zu An listened with a hidden sneer, thinking, "Isn't this just a blatant summons for all clans to enter the Royal Court and test their loyalty? Who would dare not to come?"

However, there were indeed exceptions. For instance, the Dragon King of the Sea Clan and the Demon King of the Demon Clan did not come in person, sending only representatives instead. This showed the formidable strength of these two clans, who evidently did not fear the Demon Emperor.

Additionally, for clans like the Lion and Tiger tribes, although their chiefs attended, the rising stars of the younger generation, such as West Lion and North Tiger, did not. Evidently, they were concerned about unforeseen incidents at the Royal Court this time, and thus kept their most capable heirs within their clans to avoid being caught in one fell swoop.

The Demon Emperor then announced his choice of Crown Prince Jinwu as his successor. Once the representatives from the various clans had decided on their quotas, the enthronement ceremony would commence. He expressed his hope that all clans would continue to support Crown Prince Jinwu as always.

Crown Prince Jinwu proudly surveyed the entire venue, receiving congratulations and homage from all clans.

Below the high platform, the Second Prince's face was filled with indignation. He lowered his head, his expression dark, lost in thought.

The Third, Fourth, and Youngest Princes beside him, however, looked normal. This was because, regardless of age, seniority, or ability, they were not qualified to contend for the throne.

"Easy words, but it's still forcing the clans to pledge allegiance to the new Emperor." Yun Jianyue scoffed slightly. "That birdman Crown Prince Jinwu has been causing such a mess lately, yet it hasn't affected his decision at all?"

Yu Yanluo said, "From my interactions with people from various clans these past few days, it seems the Demon Emperor was very fond of the late Great Demon Empress, and naturally, his affection for her extends to her son, Crown Prince Jinwu."

Yun Jianyue looked somewhat surprised: "I didn't think this Demon Emperor would actually be so devoted. Compared to some people, he is far nobler."

As she spoke, she cast a sideways glance at Zu An.

Zu An broke into a sweat. "His devotion is just talk," he said. "After the Great Demon Empress died, didn't he still take many concubines, including beauties like the Little Demon Empress?"

Yun Jianyue snorted. "Indeed, men are all no good."

Zu An was speechless.

This woman clearly had never experienced romance. Which man in this world would dare to betray her?

Yet, she was so cynical.

Yan Xuehen spoke up: "Actually, Crown Prince Jinwu is truly an outstanding talent. To possess such cultivation and combat strength at his age is quite extraordinary. He just had bad luck, losing twice in a row to Ah Zu."

Zu An looked embarrassed. "Oh, it's rare for Sister Yan to praise me like this."

"Who praised you?" Yan Xuehen spat lightly. "You only won against him because your cultivation technique happened to counter his. Against other masters, your combat strength might not necessarily surpass Crown Prince Jinwu's." Her face reddened, and she turned her head away, no longer paying him attention.

Yun Jianyue, standing nearby, looked puzzled. She kept feeling that the 'Ice Stone Maiden' had been different lately, but she couldn't pinpoint how.

Seemingly sensing the suspicious atmosphere in the air, Zu An's heart skipped a beat. Worried that Yan Xuehen would turn on him if their secret was revealed, he quickly changed the subject, asking, "The Demon Emperor is abdicating so quickly to the Crown Prince; is he on his last legs, about to die?"

Although the Demon Emperor looked old and frail, it was unlikely that he would die within a day or two.

As expected, Yun Jianyue's attention was caught. She explained, "That shouldn't be the case. After his abdication, he should be able to focus on recuperation, which might even prolong his life."

Zu An was somewhat puzzled. "But isn't it said that during the enthronement ceremony, the old Demon Emperor will transfer all his cultivation to the new Demon Emperor? Even if he survives afterwards, it's another question whether the new Demon Emperor would tolerate him."

Among the demon races, strength is revered above all else. There isn't much emphasis on loyalty, filial piety, or integrity. It's common for sons to assassinate their fathers and usurp the throne in various clans; many even take all of their father's concubines into their own harems, which everyone is accustomed to.

"That's unclear," Yun Jianyue said, her phoenix eyes slightly furrowed. "The Demon Emperor's succession is merely rumored; no one has witnessed it personally, so the exact details are unknown."

At this point, the Demon Emperor on the high platform began to offer sacrifices to his ancestors and to heaven. After completing all of this, he departed with the Little Demon Empress.

The assembly was then presided over by the Crown Prince and Hei Chi Fei.

Soon came the most anticipated part: the drawing of lots for the representative matchups. Those hoping to secure more slots prayed for a favorable draw. After all, various things had happened over the years: some powerful clan representatives were eliminated early due to encountering stronger opponents too soon, while conversely, some representatives from weaker clans happened to face less formidable opponents throughout, and by a stroke of luck, successfully won a spot.

Zu An accompanied Yu Yanluo onto the stage for the drawing of lots. Once on stage, Hei Chi Fei greeted them outwardly but quietly asked, "Queen Medusa, have you met Hei Chigu of my clan?"

Yu Yanluo nodded, her expression unchanged, and said, "We met briefly. We gambled for stones together in Bi Yuan the night before last."

"Oh, and have you seen him again since leaving Bi Yuan?" Hei Chi Fei stared at her intently.

Yu Yanluo was no ordinary person; naturally, she showed no flaws. "No, I haven't. Why do you suddenly ask, Grand Supervisor?"

"No reason. Please draw your lots," Hei Chi Fei said indifferently.

Yu Yanluo motioned for Zu An to draw. Zu An said with a grin, "I've always had good luck. I'm sure I'll get a good draw."

With that, he casually drew three lots. Those around him immediately looked at him with sympathy:

"Running into someone from the Lion Clan so soon? Looks like the Snake Clan will only get one spot this time too."

"This guy claimed he had good luck. His luck couldn't be worse."

...

Listening to the murmuring of the crowd, Hei Chi Fei revealed a half-smile.

Only Zu An secretly sneered. These fools had no idea that for him, drawing the Lion Clan was the best possible outcome.